Hello all, I am new to here. I have had my thyroid medication changed to Teva. And now experiencing palpitations, panic attacks plus my fingers. Arms and legs even my buttocks ache and I get a tingling sensation and nerve jumping. Could it be the medication? I've read on here some people are experiencing issues when changing from a different brand.
I was previously on Accord and Wockhart and had no issues for years.
I feel so unwell I am not able to go to work.
Any help would be much appreciated if anyone has had these issues witn Teva and how it was rectified
Thank you
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Brandyglass
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I experienced similar symptoms and filled in a yellow card to report adverse side effects. I then requested GP stated the brands I can tolerate on my prescription, so it doesn’t happen again. So far, my pharmacy has been able to fulfil this 🤞
Thank you for your feedback. Can I ask if you stopped taking the medication prior to getting an appointment with your doctor? Was it Teva you were on and if so did you have the same symptoms as me ?
Yes it was Teva for me. I did stop taking it, but I had some of my previous prescription left to tide me over for a few days. I had increased anxiety, fast pulse, tremor, palpitations and gastric issues.
Speak with GP practice to re issue a new prescription as soon as you are able.
I’ve just realised you are a new member- welcome to the forum !
How long have you been diagnosed with a thyroid condition? Do you have any blood test results to share (please include ranges as these can vary between laboratories)?
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Easiest option is NHS app, you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
If you can’t currently see test results online, simply ask receptionist at GP surgery to give you access. You will need to have photo ID with you.
This currently only applies in England, not across the whole of the UK. Nether Scotland nor N.Ireland have released an NHS app for patients. (Scotland supposedly due in December '24.) Wales has an app, but only for booking appointments, repeat prescriptions and amending personal details
Please be aware that when medics say fine/ normal/within range, this may not be the same as OPTIMAL where you feel most well. That’s why we encourage members to share test results and ranges with us.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.
Teva is lactose free, but contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Looking at your (brief) profile info …..you are now only on 50mcg levothyroxine?
You are likely not on high enough dose levothyroxine
Some of your symptoms could be due to inadequate dose levothyroxine
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease and especially if on inadequate dose Levo
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
What is reason for your hypothyroidism
Autoimmune?
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
In January I was prescribed a higher dosage of Teva. I got palpitations that require a hospital visit. My bloods were fine however I am suffering from mild palpitations now this has been dropped to 50g
How much levothyroxine were you taking before dose was increased
Please add test results from before increase and after dose
TSH, Ft4 and Ft3
If been left long time on too low a dose often necessary to increase VERY Slowly
And definitely don’t change brands …..otherwise you don’t know if issue is brand change or dose change
If need to increase slowly
Eg from 75mcg up (eventually) to 100mcg ….you might need to add 12.5mcg twice a week initially (cutting a 25mcg tablet in half) - giving 87.5mcg twice a week
Wait 6-8 weeks…..then increase by another 12.5mcg 2 days a week…..so on 87.5mcg 4 days and 75mcg 3 days
Wait 6-8 weeks…..then increase to 87.5mcg every day
Wait 6-8 weeks then probably get bloods retested before moving on to increasing further
I ache all over and I am getting muscle and twitches in my hands arms and legs.
Joint pain and aching …..Could be low vitamin D
Pins and needles low B12
Muscle twitches low magnesium
All common when hypo and especially if dose has been reduced
I was on 75 when I was fine had a blood test which indicated it should be raised to 100 and a different brand that's when the issues started. This has now been dropped to 50 and the symptoms have not changed. Will go back to the doctors.
Only been on it a few days as they first thought 100 was to much I don't have the levels. In my head I think it's the brand not the amount now that could be causing the issues. I'll see what the doctor has to say.
I too have problems with Teva - it makes my hair fall out.
I have it on my prescription "not Teva" but I now ask the pharmacist to open the bag and check it each time I pick it up as they don't always read that instruction. One time when I got it home it was clearly Teva and I hadn't checked before leaving. The 2nd time they checked and gave me the "Harris" brand mentioned above as its not easily identified that it is in fact Teva when you open the box.
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